News.bytes Extra, issue 511

BLM California Desert District Advisory Council tours Coastal National Monument on the Palos Verdes Peninsula

On a sunny, breezy December Friday on the California coast, the BLM’s California Desert District Advisory Council (DAC) traded creosote bushes and roadrunners for starfish and seabirds.  Beginning with a tour of the City of Los Angeles’ Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the day included a hike down the bluffs to the Abalone Cove, lunch at Abalone Cove Park, a visit to the interpretive overlook at Pelican Cove, and a tour of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Point Vicente Interpretive Center. (text continues below)

The BLM’s Greg Thomsen and Barbara Croonquist try out the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium’s touch pool.

Throughout the day the council heard from CCNM manager Rick Hanks that, “the California Coastal National Monument is all about partnerships.”  At the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Aquarium’s director Dr. Mike Schaadt gave an incredibly in-depth personal tour of the facility.  Holly Star, recreation services manager for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, BLM’s key gateway partner, welcomed the DAC to the city’s Abalone Cove Park, as well as gave a personal tour of the City’s Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

Los Serenos de Point Vicente docent Joe Moeller led the hike down to the CCNM rocks and exposed reef at Abalone Cove.  At the Pelican Cove overlook Danielle LeFer, conservation director for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, discussed the land conservancy’s coastal programs, including open space and trail development.  Jenn Boyce, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service seabird biologist, briefed the group on the coastal contaminants spill program and the Montrose chemical spill restoration effort, including seabird protection.  Ending at Point Vicente Interpretive Center, the DAC had the opportunity to view the CCNM wall display and kiosk, plus step outside to the observation deck, and view a few fin whales spouting nearby.

On Saturday the DAC met in nearby Redondo Beach.  BLM California State Director Jim Kenna outlined his priorities, including management of BLM California’s National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS).  BLM California State Office NLCS Program Coordinator Mark Conley and Acting Desert District NLCS Coordinator Greg Hill briefed the council on the many NLCS features in Southern California from desert wilderness -- to trails and scenic rivers – to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and, of course, the California Coastal National Monument.

The council traded the dry sands of the desert for the wet sands of the coast.

 
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium director Mike Schaadt discusses and exhibit with members of the DAC.

DAC members get a close-up look at California Coastal National Monument rocks and exposed reef at Abalone Cove.

 
Hanging over the group is the Grey Whale skeleton inside the entrance of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

 
BLM Palm Springs/South Coast Field Office manager John Kalish explains the CCNM Gateway proram to the DAC at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.

Rancho Palos Verdes’ recreation services manager Holly Starr explains the BLM wall display to a DAC member.

- Rick Hanks, California Coastal National Monument (12/11/11)

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 511 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.